Lubricant Collection Container

ABSTRACT

The invention pertains to a lubricant collection container with a dimensionally stable enclosure and a collection bag accommodated therein, wherein the collection bag is fixed in the dimensionally stable enclosure by means of a holding device and is stabilized during movement of the lubricant collection container such that the collection bag cannot move freely during movement of the lubricant collection container. The holding device comprises a folding insert with a base plate and a membrane that at least partially covers the base plate, wherein the collection bag is essentially arranged between the base plate and the membrane and the membrane preferably covers the collection bag completely in the folded state of the folding insert in order to fix and stabilize the collection bag in a simple fashion.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention pertains to a lubricant collection container with adimensionally stable enclosure and a collection bag accommodatedtherein. A lubricant collection device and a folding insert for alubricant collection container are also described.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

In regular lubricant delivery, for example, to lubricating points thatare supplied by a central lubrication system, lubricant escapes into theenvironment or into the immediate surroundings over time. This isundesirable for various reasons, particularly due to desiredcleanliness, environmental compatibility, occupational safety,reutilization of the lubricant or the like, such that there is a need tocatch and collect the old lubricant escaping from the bearing points andlubricating points, respectively.

Publication EP 2 093 474 A1 by the applicant describes a lubricantcollection container consisting of a dimensionally stable enclosure anda collection bag with at least one filler opening accommodated therein.If the lubricant collection container described in the above-mentionedapplication is subjected to a rotational movement such as, for example,in the rotating hub of a wind power plant, it can be observed that thecollection bag is partially destroyed due to abrasion, cracking, ortearing of the connector, and lubricant escapes into the environment orinto the immediate surroundings, respectively.

The present invention therefore is based on the objective of eliminatingthe disadvantages of the prior art and developing an improved lubricantcollection container, the collection bag of which is sufficientlyprotected against destruction. The objective furthermore consists ofdeveloping a corresponding lubricant collection device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This objective is attained with a lubricant collection container of theinitially cited type in that the collection bag is fixed in thedimensionally stable enclosure by means of a holding device such thatthe collection bag is stabilized. In this case, the holding devicestabilizes the collection bag in such a way that it cannot move freelyduring a movement of the lubricant collection container.

The invention takes into account the realization that the collection bagin the lubricant collection container can more or less move freely whenit is subjected to a rotational movement such as, for example, in therotating hub of a wind power plant. The rotational speed of the hub andthe distance of the lubricant collection container from the rotationalaxis result in an insufficient centrifugal force for sufficientlystabilizing the collection bag. This is why it is advantageous to fixthe collection bag in the dimensionally stable enclosure by means of aholding device such that it cannot move freely. In this way, abrasionand cracking are avoided and premature destruction of the collection bagis prevented.

The inventive design is more robust in comparison with the prior art andprotects more reliably against leakage from the entire lubricantcollection container and from the collection bag in particular. In thiscase, the collection bag preferably is—with the exception of its filleropening—closed all sides. The dimensionally stable enclosure, as well asthe inventive holding device, has a simple construction and thereforecan also be manufactured cost-effectively.

According to the invention, the holding device comprises a foldinginsert with a base plate and a membrane that at least partially coversthe base plate, wherein the collection bag is essentially arrangedbetween the base plate and the membrane and the membrane preferablycovers the collection bag completely when the folding insert is arrangedupright.

Due to this inventive arrangement, the collection bag is held on thebase plate by the membrane not only in the empty, folded state, but alsowhen it slowly fills with lubricant. In this case, the membrane expandsuniformly in accordance with the filling of the collection bag, butcontinues to hold the collection bag on the base plate due to theclamping forces being generated such that it cannot tumble back andforth. In this way, the collection bag is protected against destruction.

The membrane preferably can be expanded by up to 400% so that thecollection bag can accommodate the intended or required volume oflubricant. It is particularly preferred that the membrane completelycover the folding insert such that the entire collection bag is held inposition. As the material for the membrane, for example, polyurethane(PU) may be used. Such a membrane of PU preferably has a thicknessbetween 50 μm and 500 μm, particularly between 50 μm and 200 μm. Ifother materials are used, the thickness of the membrane may lie betweena few μm and 500 μm.

In one exemplary embodiment, the base plate features at least onepredetermined folding point, preferably four predetermined foldingpoints, particularly six predetermined folding points for foldingpurposes, wherein the predetermined folding point preferably extendsessentially parallel to the outer edge of the base plate. The base plateis folded along the predetermined folding point(s) such that themembrane is tensioned over the collection bag and also reliably holdsthe collection bag in its intended position in the empty, folded state.Due to the folding of the base plate, the forces generated during thefilling of the collection bag are better distributed over the entirefolding insert.

In an additional embodiment, the folding insert can be folded in such away that it forms at least two, preferably three wall-like segments thatadjoin at least two, preferably three adjacent walls of thedimensionally stable enclosure. Due to this design of the base plate,the folding insert has a shape that prevents movements of the foldinginsert and the collection bag held thereon in a simple fashion when thefolding insert is inserted into the dimensionally stable enclosure.

It proved practical that the base plate of the folding insert features arecess for the arrangement of a filler opening of the collection bag. Inthis case, the recess in the base plate can enclose the filler openingof the collection bag so that the filler opening can no longer movefreely. This fixing of the collection bag also results in a superiorprotection against destruction, particularly at the mechanicallystressed transition from the flexible bag to the more rigid filleropening.

The filler opening is preferably provided with a connecting element thatproduces a fluidic connection between the collection bag and, forexample, a collecting pipe for the lubricant.

The wall material of the dimensionally stable enclosure and/or thematerial of the base plate of the folding insert may contain cardboard,paperboard or corrugated board or may consist entirely of at least oneof these materials. When this wall material is used, the entirecollection container including the folding insert can be manufacturedcost-effectively and with a particularly low weight. This design alsoadvantageously allows a simple visual enhancement of the dimensionallystable enclosure and/or the folding insert, for example, in the form ofa printing process. If cardboard, paperboard or corrugated board isused, the wall material furthermore can be easily disposed of orrecycled in an environmentally friendly manner.

The collection bag may also consist of a plastic bag. This plastic bagmay be realized, in particular, in the form of a tubular bag that iswelded in its interior. The plastic used for the collection bag mayconsist of a thermoplastic material such as, for example, a LLDPE film.The material is also referred to as PE-LLD or linear low-densitypolyethylene.

In order to improve the handling of the collection bag and the lubricantcollection container, the collection bag may be fixed on the base plateof the folding insert and/or on the dimensionally stable enclosure suchthat it can be detached repeatedly. This advantageously makes itpossible to dispose of the old lubricant by merely disposing of eitherthe filled collection bag only or the folding insert with the filledcollection bag and to subsequently insert a new collection bag or a newfolding insert with collection bag into the lubricant collectioncontainer. Alternatively, the entire lubricant collection containerincluding the dimensionally stable enclosure, the folding insert and thecollection bag can be replaced. Since the collection bag is fixed on thebase plate of the folding insert and/or on the dimensionally stableenclosure, the filler opening can be aligned simultaneously in a definedfashion. This simplifies, among other things, the arrangement of aconnecting element on the filler opening.

Due to the simple and cost-effective construction of the dimensionallystable enclosure and the holding device, various shapes and dimensionsof lubricant collection containers can be easily realized.

The above-defined objective is furthermore attained with a lubricantcollection device having at least one collection element that can bearranged at a lubricating point and serves for collecting lubricantescaping from the lubricating point. The lubricant collection device ischaracterized in that the collection element preferably is fluidicallyconnected to at least one above-described inventive lubricant collectioncontainer via at least one collecting pipe. This means either that thecollection element is connected to the lubricant collection containervia at least one collecting pipe or, alternatively, that the lubricantcollection container can be connected directly to the collectionelement.

The lubricant collection container and/or the collection element and/orthe collecting pipe are preferably realized such that lubricant can becollected and carried off by means of gravitational force and, ifapplicable, no other conveying means or the like is required.

The collection element may also consist of a suction element that isassigned to a lubricating point so that leaking lubricant can becollected and conveyed into the lubricant collection container via thecollecting pipe, to which other lubricating points may be connected.

In this case, the lubricant collection container may be connected to thecollecting pipe such that it can be detached repeatedly. In this way,the lubricant can be conveyed to a lubricant collection container thatis preferably arranged in the vicinity of a lubricating pump andtherefore can be replaced quickly and easily with an empty container oran empty collection bag on a folding insert.

The objective of the invention is furthermore attained with a foldinginsert for a lubricant collection container that features adimensionally stable enclosure and a collection bag. The folding insertrepresents a simple option for stabilizing the collection bag duringmovement of the lubricant collection container. In this case, thefolding insert comprises a base plate and a membrane that at leastpartially covers the base plate, wherein the collection bag canessentially be arranged between the base plate and the membrane, andwherein the membrane preferably can be completely tensioned over thecollection bag in the folded state of the folding insert.

Due to this inventive design of the folding insert, the collection bagis held on the base plate by the membrane not only in the empty, foldedstate, but also when it slowly fills with lubricant. In this case, themembrane expands in accordance with the filling of the collection bag,and continues to hold the collection bag on the base plate so that itcannot tumble back and forth and, consequently, it is protected againstdestruction.

The membrane preferably can be expanded by up to 400% so that thecollection bag can accommodate the intended or required volume oflubricant. It is particularly preferred that the membrane completelycover the folding insert. The material used for the membrane may consistof, for example, PU, preferably with the above-indicated thickness.

Due to the design of the inventive folding insert, replacement of eitherthe filled collection bag only or of the folding insert with thecollection bag can be easily realized within a very short time. Thissimple replaceability is particularly advantageous in the regularmaintenance of lubricating points.

In an additional development of the folding insert, the base platefeatures at least one predetermined folding point, preferably fourpredetermined folding points, particularly six predetermined foldingpoints for folding purposes, wherein the predetermined folding pointpreferably extends essentially parallel to the outer edge of the baseplate. The base plate is folded along the predetermined folding point(s)such that the membrane is tensioned over the collection bag and alsoreliably holds the collection bag in its intended position in the emptyfolded state.

The folding insert preferably can be folded in such a way that it formsat least two, preferably three wall-like segments that can adjoin atleast two, preferably three adjacent walls of the dimensionally stableenclosure. Due to this design of the base plate, the folding insert hasa shape that prevents movement of the folding insert and the collectionbag in a simple fashion, particularly when the folding insert isinserted into the dimensionally stable enclosure.

In order to easily connect the collection bag to a collecting pipe bymeans of a connecting element, the base plate features a recess for thearrangement of a filler opening of the collection bag. The recess mayfurther be designed such that the filler opening is fixed in the baseplate and no longer can move freely.

The material of the base plate of the folding insert may containcardboard, paperboard or corrugated board. If this material is used, thefolding insert can be manufactured cost-effectively and with aparticularly low weight without impairing its stability. It isfurthermore easily possible to realize the folding insert with thecorrect dimensions with respect to the dimensionally stable enclosure.In this regard, various shapes of the folding insert are conceivable independence on differently shaped dimensionally stable enclosures. Ifcardboard, paperboard or corrugated board is used, the material of thebase plate can also be easily disposed of or recycled in anenvironmentally friendly manner.

Other characteristics, advantages and possible applications of theinvention result from the following description of exemplary embodimentsand the figures. In this respect, all described and/or graphicallyillustrated characteristics form the object of the present inventionindividually or in arbitrary combination, namely, regardless of thecomposition thereof in the claims or the references thereof to otherclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the schematic figures:

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a transport packaging for an inventivefolding insert and a dimensionally stable enclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the delivery state of the inventive foldinginsert including a collection bag together with the dimensionally stableenclosure in the non-upright state;

FIG. 3 shows a blank for the dimensionally stable enclosure;

FIGS. 4-9 show perspective side views of the process of arranging thedimensionally stable enclosure upright in several steps;

FIG. 10 shows a blank for the base plate of the folding insert;

FIG. 11 shows a top view of the inventive folding insert with acollection bag and a membrane spread out over the collection bag in thenon-folded state;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective side view of the inventive folding insertwith a collection bag and a membrane pretensioned over the collectionbag according to FIG. 11 in a partially folded state;

FIG. 13 shows a perspective side view of the inventive folding insertwith a collection bag and a membrane tensioned over the collection bagaccording to FIG. 11 in the completely folded state;

FIGS. 14 and 15 show perspective side views of the insertion of thefolded inventive folding insert according to FIG. 13 into an uprightdimensionally stable enclosure according to FIG. 8;

FIG. 16 shows a top view of the inventive folding insert when it iscompletely inserted into the dimensionally stable enclosure; and

FIGS. 17-20 show top views of the process of closing the dimensionallystable enclosure according to FIG. 16 in several steps.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a flat and convenient transport packaging 2, in which aninventive folding insert 1 and a blank 3 for a dimensionally stableenclosure 4 (not visible in FIG. 1) are accommodated in a non-foldedstate. The transport packaging 2 is lightweight and requires very littlespace for its transport.

FIG. 2 shows the delivery state of the inventive folding insert 1 andthe dimensionally stable enclosure 4 in the non-folded state within thetransport packaging 2. In this way, the transport packaging 2 can beeasily carried along to the installation site in order to remove andfold the folding insert 1 and the dimensionally stable enclosure 4 atthis location. As described below, this can be realized without othertechnical implements.

The blank 3 for the dimensionally stable enclosure 4 illustrated in FIG.3 has an essentially rectangular shape and features recesses at severallocations. The blank 3 has four side walls 5 a, 5 b, 5 c, 5 d that areconnected to one another via predetermined folding points 3 a, 3 b, 3 c.A connecting flap 6 is connected via a predetermined folding point 3 d.Another predetermined folding point 3 e connects (in the sequence fromtop to bottom illustrated in FIG. 3) the first bottom part 7 a, theshort side flaps 8 a, 8 b, the second bottom part 7 b and the short sideflaps 8 c and 8 d. Starting at the two bottom parts 7 a and 7 b, thelong bottom flaps 9 a, 9 b that feature holding tabs 10 a, 10 b on theirouter edges are respectively connected via additional predeterminedfolding points 3 i, 3 k. Recesses 11 a, 11 b are respectively providedat the predetermined folding point 3 e in the center between the sidewall 5 a and the first bottom part 7 and between the side wall 5 c andthe second bottom part 7 b.

A predetermined folding point 3 f connects (once again, in the sequencefrom top to bottom illustrated in FIG. 3) the long cover flap 12, theshort cover flap 13 a, the cover 14 and the short cover flap 13 b. Arecess 12 a is situated in the center of the long cover flap 12. Anotherrecess 12 b is situated on the edge of the cover flap 12 toward thepredetermined folding point 3 f. A recess 14 a surrounded by cardboardflaps 14 b, 14 c is also situated in the center of the cover 14. On theouter edge of the cover 14, a safety flap 15 is connected via apredetermined folding point 3 g. An access opening 16 is also providedin the side wall 5 c. Other access openings may be provided in the sidewalls 5 a, 5 b, 5 d, if so required.

In the delivery state illustrated in FIG. 2, the connecting flap 6 isalready folded at the predetermined folding point 3 d and the blank isfolded at the predetermined folding point 3 b such that the connectingflap 6 is connected to the side wall 5 d at the outer edge 3 h thereof,for example, by means of bonding. However, it would also be conceivableto connect the parts to one another with metallic clips or similarfastening means.

The predetermined folding points 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d, 3 e, 3 f, 3 i, 3 kconsist, in particular, of straight linear notches or grooves in theblank 3, along which the blank 3 can be easily folded.

FIG. 4 shows a first step for arranging the dimensionally stableenclosure 4 upright, in which the flat folded blank of the dimensionallystable enclosure 4 is unfolded such that the side walls 5 a/5 b, 5 b/5c, 5 c/5 d, 5 d/5 a respectively extend at right angles to one another.The short side flaps 8 a, 8 b, 8 c, 8 d of the dimensionally stableenclosure 4 are then initially folded inward (FIG. 4). Subsequently, thefirst and the second bottom part 7 a, 7 b are folded at thepredetermined folding point 3 e and the long bottom flaps 9 a, 9 b arethen guided into the interior of the dimensionally stable enclosure 4(FIG. 5) between the short side flaps 8 a, 8 b, 8 c, 8 d and are pressedinward so that they protrude into the dimensionally stable enclosure 4(FIG. 6). The long bottom flaps 9 a, 9 b guided into the interior of thedimensionally stable enclosure 3 are folded (FIG. 8) from the center ofthe bottom 7 a, 7 b (FIG. 7) to the side walls 5 a, 5 c of thedimensionally stable enclosure 4 until the holding tabs 10 a, 10 bengage in the corresponding recesses 11 a, 11 b of the side walls 5 a, 5c (FIG. 9). The dimensionally stable enclosure 4 that is arrangedpartially upright in this fashion already stands in a firm anddimensionally stable fashion and is prepared for accommodating thefolding insert 1. The dimensionally stable enclosure 4 is alsofrequently referred to colloquially as “outer box.”

FIG. 10 schematically shows the blank 17 for a base plate 18 of thefolding insert 1. The blank 17 has an essentially rectangular shape andfeatures six predetermined folding points 17 a, 17 b, 17 c, 17 d, 17 e,17 f, wherein the predetermined folding points 17 a, 17 b extendessentially parallel to the upper and lower outer edges 17 g, 17 h ofthe blank 17 and the predetermined folding points 17 c, 17 d, 17 e, 17 fessentially extend parallel to the right and left outer edges 17 i, 17 kof the blank 17. The predetermined folding points 17 a, 17 b extend overthe entire width of the blank 17, and the predetermined folding points17 c, 17 d extend over the entire length of the blank 17. Thepredetermined folding points 17 e, 17 f do not extend over the entirelength of the blank 17, but rather only between the predeterminedfolding points 17 a and 17 b, as illustrated in FIG. 10.

The predetermined folding points 17 a, 17 b, 17 c, 17 d, 17 e, 17 fconsist, in particular, of straight, linear notches or grooves in theblank 17, along which the blank 17 can easily folded. The term “blank”with the reference symbol 17 refers to the schematic illustration inFIG. 10, while the term “base plate” with the reference symbol 18 refersto the part of the folding insert 1 derived from the blank. The term“predetermined folding point(s)” consequently refers not only to theblank 17, but also to the base plate 18.

The predetermined folding points 17 a, 17 b, 17 c/17 e, 17 d/17 frespectively connect the flaps 18 a, 18 b, 18 c, 18 d. In order toarrange the folding insert 1 upright, the flaps 18 c, 18 d are foldedrearward relative to the plane of projection. In this case, thepredetermined folding points 17 c/17 e and 17 d/17 f lie relativelyclose to one another so that after the folding process they respectivelyform a narrow web 18 f, 18 g between the center part 18 e of the baseplate 18 and the connected flaps 18 c, 18 d. The narrow web 18 g isclearly visible in FIG. 14.

In areas in which predetermined folding points 17 a/17 c, 17 a/17 d, 17b/17 c, 17 b/17 d respectively intersect, the blank 17 may be perforatedor punched (perforation 19) in order to simplify the folding of thecorner areas (see FIG. 14). A recess 20 is furthermore provided in theflap 18 a.

The inventive folding insert 1 illustrated in FIG. 11 comprises a baseplate 18, a collection bag 21, and a membrane 22. The folding insert 1is illustrated in the flat, non-folded state in FIG. 11. In this state,the collection bag 21 can be easily inserted between the base plate 18and the membrane 22. The collection bag 21 therefore is loosely arrangedbetween the base plate 18 and the membrane 22 as shown in FIG. 11. Afiller opening 23 of the collection bag 21 is guided through the recess20 in the flap 18 a of the base plate 18. The filler opening 23 servesfor connecting the collection bag 21, for example, to a collecting pipefor lubricant by means of a connecting element 24. The connectingelement 24 may feature, for example, a check valve.

The collection bag 21 between the base plate 18 and the membrane 22 maybe inserted in a folded state as illustrated in FIG. 11. In this case,the folding direction of the bag is, in principle, freely selectable.However, it has proved advantageous when the collection bag 21 isrespectively folded twice or several times along the right and left edge21 a, 21 b such that the collection bag 21 can be opened in anaccordion-like fashion. The upper and lower edges of the collection bag21 are preferably not folded.

The membrane 22 is preferably connected, for example bonded or welded,to the right and left outer edges 17 i, 17 k of the blank 17 for thebase plate 18 on its right and left outer edges 22 a, 22 b in order toallow adequate positioning. It is particularly advantageous to weld themembrane 22 to the base plate 18 if the folding insert is coated or madeof a plastic material.

FIG. 12 shows how the membrane 22 is pretensioned by folding the flaps18 c, 18 d onto the side of the base plate 18 that faces away from thecollection bag 21 (i.e., onto the rear side) along the predeterminedfolding points 17 c/17 e, 17 d/17 f. During this process, it needs to beensured that the collection bag 21 is not also folded toward the rear,but rather remains arranged entirely within the non-folded center part18 e of the base plate 18 because it is otherwise unable to unfoldcorrectly when it is filled with lubricant. In order to completelytension the membrane 22, the flaps 18 c, 18 d are folded onto the rearside of the center part 18 e of the base plate 18, wherein the narrowwebs 18 f, 18 g are formed due to the double predetermined foldingpoints 17 c/17 e, 17 d/17 f. In this way, the collection bag 21 is heldin the desired position. The center part 18 e of the base plate 18 formsa central wall-like segment 25 b of the folding insert 1.

In the next step, which is illustrated in FIG. 13, the flaps 18 a, 18 bare folded in the direction of the collection bag 21, i.e., forwardrelative to the plane of projection, until they extend approximately ata right angle to the center part 18 e of the base plate 18. In thiscase, the collection bag 21 can also be folded because it can expandforward when it is filled with lubricant. The folded flap 18 a of thebase plate 18 forms an upper wall-like segment 25 a of the foldinginsert 1, and the folded flap 18 b of the base plate 18 forms a lowerwall-like segment 25 c of the folding insert 1. The inventive foldinginsert 1 illustrated in FIG. 13 is now arranged completely upright.

FIG. 14 shows the area in which the predetermined folding points 17 a/17c and 17 a/17 d intersect. According to the preferred embodiment, it iseasier to fold the flaps 18 a, 18 b if the predetermined folding points17 a, 17 b are respectively punched at the perforation 19 in certainsections.

The completely folded folding insert 1 is inserted into thedimensionally stable enclosure 4 that was arranged upright in theabove-described fashion (FIG. 14) in order to complete the lubricantcollection container 26. In this case, the rear side of the foldinginsert 1 that is not fitted with the membrane 22 and the collection bag21 faces the side wall 5 c of the dimensionally stable enclosure 4.Consequently, the central wall-like segment 25 b adjoins the inner sideof the side wall 5 c, in which an access opening 16 for handling thelubricant collection container 26 is arranged (FIG. 15), with its rearside. This prevents the collection bag 21 and/or the membrane 22 frombeing damaged and, if applicable, from being spilled when reaching intothe access opening 16. The lower wall-like segment 25 c formed by thefolded flap 18 b of the base plate 18 adjoins the bottom 7 a, 7 b of thedimensionally stable enclosure 4. The wall-like segments 25 a, 25 b, 25c now lie between the side walls 5 b and 5 d with their right and leftouter edges so that no lateral clearance exists.

The dimensionally stable enclosure 4 is now closed. For this purpose,the short side flaps 13 a, 13 b of the dimensionally stable enclosure 4are initially folded onto the upper wall-like segment 25 a of thefolding insert 1 (FIG. 16, FIG. 17) after the folding insert 1 has beencompletely inserted into the dimensionally stable enclosure 4 (FIG. 16).Subsequently, the long cover flap 12 is folded (FIG. 18, FIG. 19). Thelong cover flap 12 contains a recess 12 a through which the connectingelement 24 extends. The filler opening 23 of the collection bag 21 withthe connecting element 24 is guided through a recess 14 a in the cover14 of the dimensionally stable enclosure 4. During this process, thecardboard flaps 14 b, 14 c of the cover 14 engage into a retainingcollar of the connecting element 24. The cover 14 of the dimensionallystable enclosure 4 is subsequently closed by inserting the safety flap15 into a recess 12 b. The upper wall-like segment 25 a formed by thefolded flap 18 a of the base plate 18 therefore adjoins thedimensionally stable enclosure 4 from the inside in the area of thecover 14. The inventive folding insert 1 now also no longer has anyvertical clearance in the dimensionally stable enclosure 4 and is fixedin the interior thereof such that the collection bag 21 is stabilizedduring movement of the lubricant collection container 26. FIG. 20 showsa completed and operational lubricant collection container 26 consistingof the dimensionally stable enclosure 4 and the folding insert 1accommodated therein. The folding insert 1 functions as a holding devicefor holding the collection bag 21 fixed in the enclosure 4.

The present invention is not limited to the cuboid lubricant collectioncontainer 26 shown. Due to the simple and variable construction, inparticular, of the folding insert 1, its shape can be varied within abroad range. For example, the folding insert 1 can be adapted todifferent types of dimensionally stable enclosures such as, for example,enclosures with a cylindrical shape.

Consequently, it is possible to easily and cost-efficiently dimensionthe lubricant collection container 26 and therefore the folding insert 1accommodated therein such that they fit into retaining plates known fromthe prior art, for example, retaining plates of the type known frompublication EP 2 093 474 A1 by the applicant.

List of Reference Symbols

1 Folding Insert

2 Transport Packaging

3 Blank for Dimensionally Stable Enclosure 4

3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d, 3 e, 3 f, 3 i, 3 k Predetermined Folding Points inBlank 3

3 h Outer Edge of Side Wall 5 d

4 Dimensionally Stable Enclosure

5 a, 5 b, 5 c, 5 d Side Walls of Dimensionally Stable Enclosure 4

6 Connecting Flap

7 a First Bottom Part

7 b Second Bottom Part

8 a, 8 b, 8 c, 8 d Short Side Flaps

9 a, 9 b Bottom Flaps

10 a, 10 b Holding Tabs

11 a, 11 b Recesses

12 Long Cover Flap

12 a, 12 b Recesses in Long Cover Flap 12

13 a, 13 b Short Cover Flaps

14 Cover

14 a Recess in Cover 14

14 b, 14 c Cardboard Flaps in Cover 14

15 Safety Flap

16 Access Opening

17 Blank for Base Plate

17 a, 17 b, 17 c, 17 d, 17 e, 17 f Predetermined Folding Points in Blank17

17 g Upper Outer Edge of Blank 17

17 h Lower Outer Edge of Blank 17

17 i Right Outer Edge of Blank 17

17 k Left Outer Edge of Blank 17

18 Base Plate

18 a, 18 b, 18 c, 18 d Flaps of Base Plate 18

18 e Center Part of Base Plate 18

18 f, 18 g Narrow Webs of Base Plate 18

19 Perforation

20 Recess

21 Collection Bag

21 a Right Edge of Collection Bag 21

21 b Left Edge of Collection Bag 21

22 Membrane

22 a Right Outer Edge of Membrane 22

22 b Left Outer Edge of Membrane 22

23 Filler Opening

24 Connecting Element

25 a Upper Wall-Like Segment

25 b Central Wall-Like Segment

25 c Lower Wall-Like Segment

26 Lubricant Collection Container

1. A lubricant collection container comprising a dimensionally stableenclosure and a collection bag accommodated therein, wherein thecollection bag is fixed in the dimensionally stable enclosure by aholding device and is stabilized during movement of the lubricantcollection container such that the collection bag cannot move freelyduring movement of the lubricant collection container, characterized bythe fact that the holding device comprises a folding insert (1) with abase plate and a membrane that at least partially covers the base plate,wherein the collection bag is essentially arranged between the baseplate and the membrane and the membrane covers the collection bagcompletely in the folded state of the folding insert.
 2. The lubricantcollection container according to claim 1, characterized by the factthat the base plate comprises at least one predetermined folding pointextending essentially parallel to an outer edge of the base plate. 3.The lubricant collection container according to claim 1 or 2,characterized by the fact that the folding insert can be folded in sucha way that it forms at least two wall-like segments that adjoin at leasttwo adjacent walls of the dimensionally stable enclosure.
 4. Thelubricant collection container according to Claim 1, characterized bythe fact that the base plate comprises a recess for the arrangement of afiller opening of the collection.
 5. The lubricant collection containeraccording to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the membrane can beexpanded by up to 400%.
 6. The lubricant collection container accordingto claim 1, characterized by the fact that the dimensionally stableenclosure and/or the base plate of the folding insert comprisescardboard, paperboard, or corrugated board.
 7. The lubricant collectioncontainer according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that thecollection bag consists of a plastic bag.
 8. The lubricant collectioncontainer according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that thecollection bag is fixed on the base plate of the folding insert and/oron the dimensionally stable enclosure in the area of a filler opening ofthe collection bag such that it can be detached repeatedly.
 9. Alubricant collection device comprising at least one collection elementthat can be arranged at a lubricating point and that serves forcollecting lubricant leaking from the lubricating point, wherein thecollection element preferably is fluidically connected to at least onelubricant collection container according to claim 1 via at least onecollecting pipe.
 10. The lubricant collection device according to claim9, characterized by the fact that the lubricant collection container isconnected to the collecting pipe such that it can be detachedrepeatedly.
 11. A folding insert for a lubricant collection containercomprising a dimensionally stable enclosure and a collection bag,wherein the folding insert comprises a base plate and a membrane that atleast partially covers the base plate, wherein the collection bag canessentially be arranged between the base plate and the membrane, andwherein the collection bag can be covered by the membrane.
 12. Thefolding insert according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that thebase plate comprises at least one predetermined folding point extendingessentially parallel to an outer edge of the base plate.
 13. The foldinginsert according to claim 11 or 12, characterized by the fact that thefolding insert can be folded in such a way that it forms at least twowall-like segments that adjoin at least two, adjacent walls of thedimensionally stable enclosure.
 14. The folding insert according toclaim 11, characterized by the fact that the base plate comprises arecess for the arrangement of a filler opening of the collection bagand/or that the base plate comprises cardboard, paperboard or corrugatedboard.
 15. The folding insert according to claim 11, characterized bythe fact that the membrane can be expanded by up to 400%.
 16. Thelubricant collection container according to claim 1, characterized bythe fact that the base plate comprises at least four predeterminedfolding points extending essentially parallel to an outer edge of thebase plate.
 17. The lubricant collection container according to claim 1or 2, characterized by the fact that the folding insert can be folded insuch a way that it forms at least three wall-like segments that adjoinat least three adjacent walls of the dimensionally stable enclosure. 18.The lubricant collection container according to claim 1, characterizedby the fact that the membrane covers the collection bag completely inthe folded state of the folding insert.
 19. The lubricant collectioncontainer according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that themembrane covers the collection bag completely in the folded state of thefolding insert.